The Water Map
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Before you start

Work on a clean counter and test one water source at a time.

Syringe microplastics test kit contents

In the kit

Syringe
Vial 1
Vial 2
Flashlight
Photo box
Glass slide

You bring

Clean glass or jar

The quick version

  1. 1.Collect water
  2. 2.Add vial 1
  3. 3.Add vial 2
  4. 4.Push through syringe filter quickly
  5. 5.Set the filter on the glass and slide it into the box
  6. 6.Place your phone over the window
  7. 7.Upload the photo

What are vial 1 and vial 2?

Vial 1 is hydrogen peroxide. Vial 2 is Nile Red dissolved in acetone (nail polish remover). Use them only in that order.

Use the kit

Follow the steps in order. After the second wait, filter the sample right away.

Filling a clean glass jar with tap water

1.Collect water

30 sec

Run your tap for 30 seconds, then collect about 100 mL (3.5 oz) of water in a clean glass.

Adding liquid from a vial to a water sample

2.Add vial 1, then vial 2

60 min total wait

Add vial 1, gently swirl, and wait 30 minutes. Add vial 2, gently swirl again, then wait another 30 minutes.

Pouring prepared water into the syringe

3.Load the syringe right away

1 min

After the second 30-minute wait, draw the prepared water into the syringe and attach the filter holder. The syringe holds 60 mL, so you'll fill and push it about twice to get all 100 mL through. Move straight to filtering.

Pushing a water sample through the syringe filter over a sink

4.Filter quickly

As fast as you can

Once the prepared water is in the syringe, push it through the filter immediately. Do not let prepared water sit in the syringe.

Sliding the glass slide with the filter into the imaging box

5.Put the glass in the opening

1 min

Your kit comes with a small piece of glass. Set the filter on the glass, then slide the glass into the opening on the imaging box.

Imaging box with blue flashlight shining through the sample window

6.Place your phone

1 min

Place your phone lens over the top window as shown in the video below. The setup video shows how to line up the flashlight.

Pink glowing particles on a circular filter membrane

7.Upload a photo

1 min

Take a clear photo of the glowing filter and upload it. We count the particles and add your result to the map.

Use the imaging box

The box blocks room light and lines up the filter, flashlight, and phone camera.

  • 1.Set the filter on the glass slide and slide it into the opening.
  • 2.Point the blue flashlight through the side opening.
  • 3.Put your phone lens over the top window and take the photo.

Set up the box

Take the photo

Filter right away

Once prepared water is in the syringe, push it through immediately. Do not let it sit in the syringe.

Shoot in low light

The pink glow is easiest to photograph when room lights are dim and the blue LED is close to the filter. The filter should glow for about 24 hours.

Compare two sources

If your kit has two tests, run one on unfiltered tap water and one after your filter.

After you're done

Make sure to put the dish or the glass cup in the dishwasher, or wash it thoroughly before drinking out of it again.

Questions? Use the chat widget in the bottom right corner. We are fast.